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2000 Jaguar S-Type Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Jaguar S-Type has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Shifter stuck in park on inclines.” Jaguar service is built around an annual visit. Cars from the 1990s ran about 10,000 miles between services; the V8 era moved to 16,000 miles or 12 months; and modern cars use a service indicator that counts down from the same annual ceiling based on how you drive. New Jaguars include EliteCare, which covers scheduled maintenance for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Two things deserve a straight answer here. First, 1997 to 2002 V8s had plastic timing-chain tensioners that crack with age, and an unfixed one can wreck the engine. Second, the automatic transmission is marketed as filled for life, but ZF, the company that builds it, publishes its own fluid-change guidance. Both are covered below.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Jaguar S-Type.

Reported to NHTSA

Shifter stuck in park on inclines

POWER TRAIN

30 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2015-03

“WHENEVER THE CONTACT PARKS ON AN INCLINE, THE GEAR BECOMES STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT MUST BE PUSHED AND ROCKED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL IT POPS OUT OF GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10277168
“PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AT THE BOBOPS IN ESTILL, SC AND THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, AFTER A FEW TRIES, THE GEAR FLOATED AND THE SHIFTER OBVIOUSLY HAD BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10426665
“I PARKED MY CAR ON AN INCLINE AND WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE I COULD NOT PUT IT INTO 'REVERSE', OR ANY GEAR. I PULLED ON THE SHIFTER THUS BREAKING A PIN, CAUSING THE SHIFTER TO 'FREE' FLOAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10039035

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front ball joint and control arm failure

SUSPENSION

15 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2023-03

“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE STEERING WAS OUT OF BALANCE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10237463
“A MECHANIC STATED THAT A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND DAMAGED THE CONTROL ARM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10274663
“WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SHEARED OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10117001

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

16 NHTSA complaints · 2002-03 → 2007-09

“ALL 4 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE NOW FAILED. FIRST ONE WAS UNDER WARRANTY - FOLLOWING WERE NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10098617
“FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR IN JAGUAR 2000 S-TYPE. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE. BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND MOST CURRENTLY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10193731
“FOR THE THIRD TIME ONE OF THE WINDOWS ON MY JAGUAR S-TYPE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS/CLOSES THE WINDOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10203909

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping and failure

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 2002-03 → 2019-08

“WE PURCHASED A NEW S-TYPE 2000 JAGUAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 40,000 MILES AND HAS HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10080534
“2000 JAGUAR S TYPE 3.0 , TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY SLIPS, WON'T GO INTO GEAR, WON'T DOWN SHIFT,; WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP, ENGINE WILL REV HIGH, AND THEN JUMP INTO GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10105778
“THE GEAR BOX AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10053575

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2000-05 → 2013-02

“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #862594
“WHEN COMING TO STOP OR MAKING A TURN OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #883888
“WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO STOP AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, FORCING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10027309

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment without a collision

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-01 → 2015-05

“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DRIVER HEARD EXPLOSION, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY KIND OF IMPACT, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #854048
“WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #874564
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10715586

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2000-07 → 2016-07

“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536511
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, IN WHICH NONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #884487
“WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #864745

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition coil failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2004-02

“WHEN THE COILS FAILED VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059541
“FAILURE OF ALL (6) IGNITION COILS. ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON WHILE BEING DRIVEN; CAR SLOWLY LOST ALL ABILITY TO MOVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10045126
“JAGUAR 2000 S-TYPE: CONSTANT FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10013538

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change

Every 10,000 mi

Annual on every era of Jaguar. The 1990s sixes list about 10,000 miles; V8 and Ingenium cars list up to 16,000 miles or 12 months, with the service indicator shortening that under hard use. Many independent shops suggest more frequent changes on the 2.0L Ingenium because of documented oil-dilution reports. Follow your manual and never pass the 12-month mark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate with each service where fitment allows. Many F-Type and R models run staggered sizes that cannot rotate; check wear and age instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Every 2 years on most models; some older schedules stretch to 3. Fluid absorbs moisture on the calendar, not the odometer, so low-mileage cars still need this. The I-Pace keeps the 2-year interval even though regenerative braking saves the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Pads, rotors, and hoses checked at every annual service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Timing Chain Tensioners (1997–2002 V8s)

Every 35,000 mi

Applies to early AJ-V8 cars: XK8 and XKR from 1997, XJ8 and XJR from 1998, through roughly 2002. The original plastic-bodied tensioners crack with heat and age, and a failure can bend valves. This was never on the factory schedule; it is a known flaw. If your car has not had the updated metal tensioners fitted, have them inspected, especially past 35,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

Roughly 30,000 to 40,000 miles on the older V8s and about 40,000 to 50,000 on supercharged cars, commonly hitting the 6-year service point first. Check your manual for the exact figure for your engine.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Transmission Fluid (ZF Automatic)

Every 60,000 mi

Jaguar calls the ZF automatics filled for life. ZF itself recommends fresh fluid and a filter roughly every 50,000 to 75,000 miles or 8 years. We side with the company that built the gearbox. Budget for this service; it is far cheaper than a transmission.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Typically 30,000 miles or so under normal conditions, sooner in dusty areas. Inspected at every annual service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Annually or about every 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

Every 100,000 mi

Modern long-life coolant runs roughly 10 years or 100,000+ miles; 1990s cars need a change every few years. On the I-Pace the coolant loop cools the battery pack, and that service is best left to shops trained on high-voltage systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

No fixed factory interval; inspected at each service and replaced on condition. On Ingenium engines, oil leaks reaching the belt and tensioner are a documented failure pattern worth checking at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

12V Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Tested at each annual service. Modern Jaguars carry heavy electronics loads and are sensitive to weak batteries; the I-Pace depends on the 12V system to wake the EV drivetrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

57 crashes 1990–2024

How the 57 occupant deaths break down

39

driver deaths

18

passenger deaths

57

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Jaguar S-Type reflects Jaguar's published service intervals and the Jaguar Service Interval Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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